April 16, 2012

There are two types of people: the crafty, and the not-so crafty. Readers of Petite Planet know which category I fall into, seeing as I can barely thread a needle -- so I can use all the help I can get when it comes to doing arts and crafts with my kids. We just had the good fortune of receiving a package of craft kits from Green Kid Crafts on a rare rainy day when we were stuck indoors. Miss O and I had a blast doing the crafts together, and I wasn't at all intimidated by the instructions or tasks that needed to be performed to bring the crafts to fruition!

Ironically, one of the Green Kid Crafts we received were the Worry Dolls (shown above). Our family is full of professional worrywarts, including Miss O., so when I told her the story behind the Guatemalan worry dolls, and how you put one under your pillow, tell it your worry and your worry is taken away while you sleep, she was thrilled. We shared a lot of giggles making these worry dolls together. All of the materials we needed to make the dolls were provided in a bag, (we needed to provide glue and scissors), and the instructions were super easy to follow -- even reminding you that the most important thing was to have fun and enjoy making the craft together -- not to focus on the outcome. We gave Sally (what Miss O named her doll) all of Miss O's worries about having bad dreams at bedtime tonight, and I am hoping she's currently working like a charm.

Green Kid Crafts is a monthly subscription service that you can currently sign up to receive for 3, 6, or 9 months. Soon to be offered is a $15 per month plan as well. I think it's well worth the price because each month you receive three complete craft projects to create with your kids. All of the projects are designed by hand and comprised of non-toxic, natural and eco-friendly supplies.

Green Kid Crafts Earth Map Mobile

Here is a sample gallery of some of the many different crafts that Green Kid Crafts sends out. I like that while you're doing these crafts with your kids, you can discuss how they are green, ie: what are you using that is recycled or repurposed, what elements from nature can you use to create art, etc. Crafting together is also a wonderful way to bond with your kids, and a much needed alternative to parents and kids spending their time in isolation mode watching TV, or looking at a computer.

Green Kid Crafts offsets 100% of the carbon dioxide they generate with their business, and they help fund the development of renewable energy projects in the United States.

Best of all, they take the guesswork out of which craft projects to do with your kids, they eliminate the need to drive to the store to buy supplies -- and they made me feel less squeamish, and more excited and inspired about getting crafty.